View Full Version : Help on deciding lighting system.
gorilla
11-24-2007, 11:54 PM
Hey everyone. I've built a cabinet to grow pot in. I am not looking for huge yields. If I could have an ounce of bud to smoke every month, I would be a very happy camper. I do not want to run more than 250 watts.
The dimensions of the box are 24"x16.5", and it's 3 feet tall. I was first going to make a cabinet 2'x2'x4', but realized this is much too big and clunky. The size of my box now is perfect for what i'm going for, or so I hope.
I have a 400watt HPS light that would fit into this box. However, 400 watts of HPS is rather intense for 3square feet of floorspace, I would need to worry much more about heat, and it simply costs too much on electricity for me to run continuously. I am interested in fluorescent alternatives and their quality of growth. Every fluorescent light you see seems to have some sort of gimmick to get you to buy it, and it's all got be a bit confused as to what is the truth.
There are fluorescent lights that range from 55watts, to 250watts that seem to peak my interest. I am not sure if two 55watt T5 fluorescent tube lights, at 24" long, is a better alternative than one of those big powerful fluorescent lights ( such as the 250w ). Upsides to tube lighting is less heat and more even coverage. However, with the right reflector a singular light can cover that area no problem, and it would fit a little more nicely into the box ( and cost less to buy! )
What do you guys think? I would love any links you could send me. Google is weird when looking for fluorescent lighting, in my experience, because of all the different types of providers there are. Ebay is a good source, but you cannot trust everything you read on ebay.
Help me out! Thanks
-Gorilla
gorilla
11-24-2007, 11:58 PM
Will I be dissapointed with the growth, yield, and quality of my plants grown with fluorescent light after using a 400 hps?
Which are the best types of fluorescent lights to use?
What are good places to get these lights from?
gorilla
11-25-2007, 12:20 AM
250 watt CFL (http://cgi.ebay.com/6400-K-CFL-FLUORESCENT-GROW-LIGHT-250-WATT-BULB-LAMP_W0QQitemZ270190159504QQihZ017QQcategoryZ42225 QQcmdZViewItem) ebay link.
This link (http://www.littlegreenhouse.com/accessory/lights.shtml), and This link (http://www.homeharvest.com/hydrofarmcompactfluorescents.htm) have pictures and different setups of 125 watt CFLs.
Check out this setup (http://homeharvest.com/HIDhighoutputfluorescents.htm). It's a 2 foot light, with 4 24watt T5 blue bulbs, and a 150watt HPS right in the middle. This seems pretty badass. but, $400! Maybe this could be built simliar, but cheaper?
This page (http://homeharvest.com/highoutputfluorescentsnewwave.htm)shows a light with 4 of the 24watt T5 bulbs for $150. No doubt in my mind that a 150hps at home depot is cheaper than the extra $250 they charge for the other light. Part of the convenience of that other light is that the HPS is right in the middle. The two bulb fixtures of just the 24w t5's is $80.
I definately don't want to get very complicated with this lighting situation. :D I just want it to work worth my money and accomplish what I need it to. Which is... stash. :cool:
This light (http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180184270015&ih=008&category=42225&ssPageName=STORE:PROMOBOX:NEWLIST#LIST)seems as if it would do the job, and it's simple. Almost home-made simple. $70 for a 105 watt fluoro, with a reflector. The bulb itself is like $35 and I would make my own reflector if it's cheaper and easy enough.
let me know what you guys think. I will get pics of the box when I can.
Sticky_Budz
11-25-2007, 10:18 AM
Hey G ive used the 250watt cfl and worked great for me :D you can get the bulb and fixture together at any Home Depot
for 40 bucks and they are great on the electric bill good luck on your set up:D
Yo Gorilla, I think those florous would work great with training. But nothing beats a HID IMO
I know you prolly don't want to do any wiring. here is a LINK (http://htgsupply.com/growlights.asp?categoryID=1&subcategoryID=106&typeID=66) to a 150W HPS ready to run outa the box for under 100 bucks. The major problem I got with flos is the lumens per watt ratio. Overall its cheaper to run a HID opposed to flos.
Those compact flos get pretty hot, would agree that tube flos are better. My lil 70W HPS is cooler than the 55W CFL I got. Perk to flos is you can swap out the spectrums really easy.
Sticky's_Queen
11-25-2007, 11:23 AM
ya Sticky had them lights then his stupid ass fried them when he tried to hook them up in his new grow room:rofl2: told him that wire didnt go there:eek: But he did get some nice buds when he used them:D Good luck on your choice:D
Fred Lemonjello
11-25-2007, 01:42 PM
Just wanted to say WOW G Mon what a write, research, well thought out plan and Q&A! ;)
However I have no words of wisdom for you on the use of smaller bulbs except for household type CFL's, which I have used for clones, vegging and flowering with good results....... not exceptional results mind you... but the bulbs were just small 60 to 100 watters wired together in a small cabinet.
The heat from the CFL bulbs, 60 & 100 watt, was still pretty intense when grouped together, heat was still a must to exhaust..... I can only imagine what the heat would be from a 250 watt CFL..... Granted not as much as a 250 HPS bulb.
The thing with CFL's is that they have their Ballast attached which is also a heat source, let alone the bulb itself. Yes they are hot to the touch and yes they cool rather quickly...... but CFL's are cooler then a HPS bulb of the same wattage configuration.
Fred
hey G.
heat is gonna be the factor on what you can use in the end....
the big watt CFL come with a remote ballast and if not one can make em that way no prob....they do get hot tho IMO
messed with a 95 and a 105 a few years ago for veg and thought they worked just fine:)
will you get less bud then your 400 will produces? yes you will but,
I think if you put your heart into your grow you will get what you need back from it in the end, no matter what light(to a point lol):cool:
never tried T5's but have seen them in action:eek: they seem to kick butt to me....
the link that is add $250 for a 150hps add on is crap i think....get a home depot light and do it up your self bro
that is if the cab can handle it
look'n forward to how ya cab works for you and maybe a GJ on it:p
gorilla
11-25-2007, 10:03 PM
Think I should rephrase/add another question to this barrage i've given you all.
What kind of light you use? Consider the dimensions of the box (24"x16"x36"), low wattage (at max 250), and grow goals (an ounce a month, or 3oz's for a 3month grow). Know that I will be vegging and flowering in the same box, and I would much rather avoid having to use two different lights.
Don't be afraid. Give me an answer so I can compare your thoughts.
I have two fixtures. My cab is 16"deep x 24" wide x 32" tall.
I use a 3-socket bathroom fixture for CFL's for veg. Then am using a 70W HPS (gonna add a 50w once i get the photo circuit worked out on the digital ballast.) So 120W worth of HPS.
I "could" get up to 150W but think the heat would get away with me. 100W HPS would work great...but all I got is 50W, 70W, and 150W HPS flood lights.
the 70W I can get 3-4 inches from the leaves without a problem.
Hope that helps.
gorilla
11-26-2007, 09:42 AM
I have two fixtures. My cab is 16"deep x 24" wide x 32" tall.
I use a 3-socket bathroom fixture for CFL's for veg. Then am using a 70W HPS (gonna add a 50w once i get the photo circuit worked out on the digital ballast.) So 120W worth of HPS.
I "could" get up to 150W but think the heat would get away with me. 100W HPS would work great...but all I got is 50W, 70W, and 150W HPS flood lights.
the 70W I can get 3-4 inches from the leaves without a problem.
Hope that helps.
This does help, Dawg. You're using a box with similar dimensions to mine and even less wattage than I was considering. You grow some nice buds! :p That's the kind of solid info I need to see.
Ideas still running through my brain, and i'm open to all suggestions. Need to put the finishing touches on the box itself before I put lights in there anyway.
My last grow was under CFL's, I can notice a huge difference between 150W of CFL's and the 70W. Guess why I'm steeering ya towards an HPS ;)
gorilla
11-26-2007, 04:06 PM
Do you think a box my size could handle a 250hps? That would be over 80watts per square foot. Only takes 150 to hit the 50watts per foot mark.
It has been a while: 50watts per foot is what you aim for? or is it the minimum for ideal light?
Do you think a box my size could handle a 250hps? That would be over 80watts per square foot. Only takes 150 to hit the 50watts per foot mark.
It has been a while: 50watts per foot is what you aim for? or is it the minimum for ideal light?
30 min and 50 for kick ass buds:D
gorilla
11-28-2007, 09:26 AM
Thanks CB.
250HPS at 80w per square foot sounds like overkill. After using the 400w HPS I am hesitant to believe that 150hps will do the job I want it to, though.
I am thinking about using a 150hps, a 250 HPS, or a 4bulb T5 fixture. Most of these use 24w bulbs, totalling 96.
150 HPS emits 16,000 lumens.
250 HPS emits 26,000 lumens.
96w T5 emits 7,600 lumens.
The 150 *seems* ideal. Perfect footprint, low wattage, high lumens, not too much heat. The 250w seems like, if used correctly, could be a powerhouse in my box. After using the 400 I am hesitant to go as low as 150 and this is really the only reason why 250 is still an option. The 96w T5 fixture only gets like 32w per square foot. However, It's under 100 watts, the light will be very small and pretty in color ( I HATE HPS ORANGE ), and from what CB has said it works nicely.
Not trying to bug you guys or sound super repetitive in this thread. It also helps me to think by writing it all down and telling some people. Of course, I want to know what you would think. Gonna repeat my last question: Do you think the 250w is too much for my box? Do you think that the 150hps is my best option? Is a 96w t5 better than a 150 hps?
I had a 250W...it got a lil tough with heat, but not really bad...but I would not even try in my cab. If you did a cool tube or vented hood it would work i would think.open ended pyrex tube and some riggin up prolly get it to work. :)
HIDs have a lot more intensity...thats what makes the bud size difference.
gorilla
11-29-2007, 06:42 PM
hey guys. I've kind of thrown the 250HPS idea out the window. More wattage than I need, more electricity than I want to run, and too many problems I would need to work against.
Unfortunately, 150w lights do not come remote. I have been looking through some DIY threads on other websites, and it does not seem too hard turn an enclosed ballast into a remote one. I could do it. I've seen some homemade remote ballasted 150w HPS lights on the internet for decent prices. I worry a bit about their quality, but who's to say it's any worse than I would do myself.
Those compact fluorescent bulbs are still a good option. They are 125 watts, and come red and blue. Each bulb runs for about $50 and they say: All of these, 'Low-Heat', bulbs are built with the ballast in the bulb housing. Requiring only a 4kv socket to operate. Does this mean a regular light socket? This is definitely the best price if that's true. I could even get 1 red and 1 blue!
Answer this question for me please. :p
Answer this question for me please. :p
I did in msn lol
go for the 150 hps:D
Dawg probly has a few tips up his sleeve if heat becomes an issue:cool:
good luck with the cab and grow bro
:pass:
fifty bucks a bulb is a lot. you can get either veg or flower bulbs at lowes for eleven. even grow shops on the net are charging like fifteen. one place had a "corrected" light, and it was only twenty bucks.
whole four foot, four t five bulb setup with bulbs of your choice color, it's only one seventy. less than four replacement bulbs.
I have lot of free time.
gorilla
11-30-2007, 12:41 AM
mind posting links, mac?
gorilla
11-30-2007, 12:44 AM
CB suggested 150 hps. No matter how much I hate the orange light or what other options there other, CB's opinion is a strong one to me. so far, this is my option unless i see better facts or a better price range (options). :P
mind posting links, mac?
not at all.
http://www.discount-hydro.com/productdisp.php?pid=495&navid=40
gorilla
12-11-2007, 11:37 PM
this seem of a good quality? http://cgi.ebay.com/High-Efficiency-Grow-Light-150-w-watt-HPS-hydroponics_W0QQitemZ260186719573QQihZ016QQcategor yZ42225QQcmdZViewItem
e-conolight has cheaper ones but i'd have to do it myself. probably $40 cheaper without building my own ballast and reflector.
lowes sells a 150 for $100 that i'd also have to do myself but can see it's of OK quality in person.
any opinions?
Fred Lemonjello
12-12-2007, 05:37 AM
..... either way really G.... same price, prolly same quality.
If you get the one from ebay you can see exactly how to build your own....... for future purchases of Build Your Own Kits.
BUT....... if you want my true opinion, get the build your own...... you can buy two of those mail order kits for the price of one pre-built.
Hell.. we'll help ya out with any Q's.......
Fred
jordas
09-28-2008, 05:07 PM
get the 150w..........
the 250w is way too much for that space.....
you don't want to fighting heat problems.........it's no fun!!
Pistol Pete
09-29-2008, 07:39 AM
I Would Invest In A 250 Watt System Based On The Variety Of Horticultural Bulbs Available ( Son T Plus And Halides As Well )
Over Here In The U.K ( I Just Realised This Is A North American Oriented Site ) We Have Son-E HPS Bulbs , But Nothing On Par, Forgive The Pun , That May Be Available Stateside.
I'll Say One Thing Though; A CFL Mounted Horizontally In Reflector (125 Envirolite-Blue) Was Hotter In My One metre Grow Box Than A 250 With Remote Ballast.
The CFL Is Long Gone, The Yellowing Of This Non Recyclable Product Happened Quickly And It Looked Like A Burn May Have been Forming.
Efficiency Is key Over here
PP
Pistol Pete
09-30-2008, 05:26 AM
I Was Conversing With My Partner Partz Feinder, And He Suggested This Link To Me:D
I Do Hope You Find It As Informative As I Have;)http://www.hydroponics.net/2/234
Sir Chengin:)